The police say nine people were arrested on Tuesday and four illegal firearms seized as torrential rain drenched the island.

In a news release yesterday, the police said a high-powered rifle was among the guns seized.The first incident, which led to the seizure of a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol along with eight rounds of ammunition, occurred about 11:00 am.The police say one man was accosted at the May Pen bus park in Clarendon and the weapon taken from him.About 3:00 pm in Osbourne Store, Four Paths, also Clarendon, lawmen continued their operations which led them to a house.The premises was searched and a 9mm Sarsilmaz pistol with three rounds was seized and one man arrested, the police say.Then about 6:30 pm in Trench Town, Kingston, lawmen reportedly searched premises in the Egypt Housing Scheme and found a Taurus 9mm pistol with a magazine containing three rounds. No one was arrested in that seizure.The police say the efforts of the lawmen climaxed in Spanish Town, St Catherine, about 9:00 pm, when a team of officers seized an AK-47 assault rifle along with 23 cartridges in a makeshift kitchen in the Corletts Avenue area. Seven men were reportedly taken into custody in connection with that seizure.“Our hard-working and dedicated officers must be commended,” Police Commissioner George Quallo is quoted in the release. “This demonstrates the true resolve of the men and women under my command. We remain committed to removing the guns off our nation’s streets and creating safer communities.”